rocket man

Craft of the week after studying outerspace at preschool!

last day of preschool

Today was Logan's last day of preschool.  Its been a great year, and I have to say, we've been so proud of how he's handled his very first school experience.  His teachers and the school were just incredible, and it was so rewarding being room mom and being able to be very involved in his class.  He never complained once that he didn't want to go to school, he looked forward to it every day and was so proud to show us everything he made.
This morning, Andrew made him a special pancake breakfast on our 'special day' plate my friend Sharon made me before she moved to Germany.  We use it for family birthdays and special celebrations.

This was Logan last September on his very first day of preschool:

And here he is this morning.  I swear he grew 6 inches... you don't realize how much they change until you look at old photos.

To celebrate the last day, his class had a picnic this afternoon.  Here he is with his two teachers:

The teachers gave me and the other room mom these bags with all of the kids handprints on them.  Not only is it adorable, I'll use it all the time!

The teachers gave all of the kids buckets full of summer goodies, and they made each parent a personlized scrapbook full of photos from the year.  Its very detailed and something I'll keep forever to remember his first year of preschool.  Love you, buddy!

Preschool Mothers Day Tea

Today, I got to join the other moms of Logans' classmates for a very cute little Mothers Day celebration at preschool. 

We had snacks and stories...

And we received very sweet, wonderful Mothers Day presents from our kids...

Best of all, we even got serenaded.

Scoops of Hope

This week is the Week of the Young Child at Logan's preschool.   Its something the school celebrates each year in accordance with NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The kids and teachers have been busy for weeks, preparing the pieces of artwork to turn the entire school into the "Town that Hope Built".  I got to see a little bit of it today when I went in to read Logan's class this, and this.   

Logan's class built an ice cream shop called "Scoops of Hope".   When I saw it I had to take photos.  Adorable, creative and the ice cream looks so realistic!  The kids get to have a surprise ice cream party on Wednesday with real ingredients.  Its hard to believe there's only about a month of preschool left.  Logan's first year has been a huge success - the kids and the teachers have been fantastic.  I'm not sure I want the school year to end!

Logan V.I.P.

This week, Logan is the Notorious V.I.P. (very important preschooler) at school. Except he had to miss a day due to a touch of the dreaded strep throat.  Thankfully he recovered very quickly and I'll head into his class next week for a make-up story reading session.

We had to make a poster illustrating his life this past weekend, once we finished Operation Birthday Party Clean Up.  He's less than three months away from turning four, and his new phrase these days has been a very sarcastic "Mom, are you serious?"  He tends to use it with disbelief when I'm trying to talk him into doing something he doesn't want to do, which usually means running errands or cleaning up.  Or eating something other than a cheese sandwich (the horror!).

creative juices a-flowin

Artwork and learning is abound all over this joint.  

Yesterday was Dylan's last day of after-school KidzArt, and he created a sun and moon celestial sort of thingamajig.   I love the vibrant colors, and the curly-q's alongside the sun.   I think this class has really given him more confidence in his creativity, and its taught him different techniques and tools ("Mom, we used oil pastels today!").   Andrew and I both enjoy creativity and appreciate art, and I hope we can keep Dylan's interest piqued as he grows.

Logan made this adorable Easter bunny at preschool today.   I just love the projects he brings home.  They've been practicing their cutting and gluing at school.  At any given time lately, I can find him sitting at the kitchen table, safety scissors out, construction paper in hand and tiny little pieces showering the floor. 

They just completed a Number Book at school showcasing their cutting and gluing, and he brought that home today as well.  He proudly showed me every page and recognized and pronounced each shape correctly, even octagon.

He's been counting absolutely everything lately.  Number of steps he takes, forwards and backwards.   Number of raisins in his bowl.   Number of orange slices on his plate.  How many dead worms are in our driveway.  Number of Leapster games he has.  How many Easter eggs he found at the egg hunt.    The pile of Matchbox cars on the floor.  He also wants me to read everything to him,constantly.   And I mean everything.  The warning sticker on the dryer, every road sign, every menu item, food labels, and books, books, books. 

I'm glad he has such an interest and he's such a little sponge right now, soaking it all up and storing it up for life.

Logan

Yesterday was Logan's mid-year preschool parent teacher conference.  We've been so pleased with his preschool, and more importantly, his progress since being in preschool.  I've talked so many times about our challenges with Logan; he's been in speech therapy since 20 months for a slight speech delay. As a result of the speech delay, he's always been more easily frustrated and sensitive.  We, at times, have really had to dig deep and conjur up an extra five doses of patience to help Logan learn how to regulate his emotions and teach him how to be a good friend, a good brother and make the right choices.  I've talked about Life with Logan a fair amount on the blog, but I've tried not to whine too much.  For all the challenges and tears, and feeling consumed and desperate at times, there are also so many days full of laughter and triumphs. 

I'm proud of him everyday. But this week I am particularly super duper extra proud.

I was apprehensive about starting him in preschool as a young 3-year old this past fall.   I didn't know how he'd react when another child took his toy, told him 'no' or if someone he was talking to wasn't able to understand him.  I didn't know if he'd follow directions, or obey the rules.  At the same time, we felt it would be an exciting experience for him, to gain more independence and confidence, and it would give me a break a couple of mornings a week for mental recovery.   So, we decided to give it a go.

Through the school months, I've had many conversations with his lovely teacher.  We also decided to get a little extra help when we hit a rough spot a while back found a behavioral therapist to help him and just as importantly, to help us help him.  Not something I talked about on the blog, it just really seemed like a personal thing and not something I wanted to take public.   But I'm here to say that everything we've done - all the appointments, all the testing, even all the drives up to Kennedy Krieger in the early days...., all the discussions and books and everything, everything.  Its been completely worth it, 100%.

Yesterday, Logan's teacher sang his praises and told us how much he is thriving at preschool.  He's not had any issues controlling himself at school.  He is learning to write his name.  He can recognize almost every letter of the alphabet on his own, and he knows all of his shapes, colors and numbers to 20.    He can spell his name.   He goes to music class and participates and uses his manners.  He initiates communication with his teachers and friends, and sits still and pays attention.  He's wonderful at sharing, at following directions and his verbal skills have completely taken off.  In fact, so much so he's probably going to be released from speech therapy next month.  He was released from behavioral therapy today since he's met all of the goals we had set for him.  Its been quite an incredible, monumental week for him.

He's worked hard, we've worked hard, and its paid off.  Its been a long road, and not an easy one.  The child we have today is much happier, communicating his thoughts and feelings and making friends on his own.  He enjoys who he is and is proud of his abilities. 

This has been a huge learning experience for us as parents.  I've come to believe you have such a small window before certain behaviors and cycles become part of who a child is and become hard to 'undo'; before small delays turn into bigger delays when they're older and are noticed by other kids.  What I've learned in the past two years is get your child help as soon as you feel they need it.  Don't wait.  While it might be hard to acknowledge you're child isn't perfect, it will be much harder later in life if you haven't given them the skills they need to be happy and independent.  And if no one will give you the services, fight for them.  We were always told Logan's speech delay was so slight he barely qualified for services.  But we fought for him and got him help. Because how happy can a child be who can't always be understood when he's talking?  How happy can a child be who can't settle himself down when he gets upset? 

Because bottom line, he is our child and we weren't going to settle for waiting to see if it all just worked out one day. 

I've never been as sure as anything as I am of this.  There is no shame in getting help for your child.  Logan will never remember he had speech or self regulation issues.  He's just 3 1/2.  He won't remember all these hundreds of sessions of speech therapy and behavioral therapy.    What he'll know is that he's a happy, loving, smart boy who feels good about himself and can do anything he sets his mind to.  One that makes friends easily, cares for people and makes good choices in life.

My heart overflows for you, Logan, and you get more amazing every single day.

steak rolls

Last night was Daddy and Me night at Logan's preschool.  It was a guys night out of 'fishing' and 's'mores' around the 'campfire' in Logan's classroom with his teachers and school mates. 

Dylan and I stayed home where he kicked my butt in every Wii game he challenged me too.  Even worse, Logan kicks my butt too, and I am really truly trying. 

(click to enlarge)

All I want to know is, what exactly is a steak roll?

January Christmas

Logan practiced his Christmas songs at preschool really, really hard all of December.  And then came the snow.  The weekend before Christmas, we got that mongo-snow here and it cancelled everything including school.  So, in lieu of a pre-holiday program, his preschool decided to hold the event post-holiday, yesterday.  All the kids came, decked out in their most festive attire, and sang their little hearts out.  

Logan never told us what song(s) he was singing, even when we asked.  He once told us "We Will Rock You", with a smirk on his face.  So until we arrived yesterday, we really didn't know what we'd be seeing.  The children sang 8 or 9 songs, complete with hand motions and it was utterly adorable.  Logan was in the front row, with his little argyle sweater on, singing his heart out, ringing his jingle bells and taking it all very, very seriously.  When I think about where we were with Logan just a year ago... with his speech delay, his behavior issues.  How hard he's worked, how hard we've all worked.  To see him on that stage singing and feeling so important....it was completely overwhelming.

It was a stressful morning at our house that morning before we went to school, and I wasn't exactly in a sunshine kind of mood.  But in that moment watching him, so innocent and proud, I felt my heart fill completely up and overflow until my eyes welled over and my nose got itchy.  It was just what I needed... a reminder of a love so deep and unconditional, it can actually take your breath away and make your heart stop beating and float above your body.

a queen Christmas

Just stopping in for a quick second between party planning, gift wrapping, homework, fudge making, gift wrapping, holiday card addressing, volunteering in the class and working and....

Christmas is a mere 9 days away and other than a few stocking items, I'm in pretty good shape (mentally, not physically *see Chex Mix recipe*). Winter Wonderland went off splendidly this past weekend at D's school. The only problem was, I was so tired I pretty much felt like I had a hangover for three days afterwards. A small price to pay for being part of such a fun event for the kids. Then it was time to throw the MOMS Club holiday party which was on such a smaller scale than the WW event, it felt like cake.

Now we're heading into the boys' school holiday parties. Dylan's is this Friday and even though I'm not his room mom this year, I'll be helping with the party. Its always fun, loud, and crazy to go into his class and spend an hour or two with 25 mostly wild but all very cute and sweet first graders. Today when I was volunteering at school, one of D's classmates told me a whole (somewhat disconnected) story about how his Dad used to have a weinreimer but he had to go to the Vietnam War. "Your Dad?," I asked. "No, the dog!" he replied looking at me like I was totally clueless.

And then there's Logan's party this coming Monday. They'll have a holiday program in the church sanctuary first, followed by a class party. Very little has been disclosed about this program; the teachers have been very secretive about it all. So the other day, we asked Logan what song he's singing at his concert. And wouldn't you know, he promptly answered, in all seriousness, "We Will Rock You". And after I stopped laughing, I could just picture it, an entire stage of three year olds rockin' the house Freddie Mercury style. Hmmmm, maybe I need to modify his outfit from a nice festive sweater to something more like this? Do they sell pleather pants in a 3T?

freezing our pumpkins off

Yesterday, Mom and I braved the atypical October 40 degree weather and accompanied Logan's preschool on his very first field trip. It was not choice weather for a field trip; we all wore a good four layers or so. But, at least we were dry. Shortly after we left, the downpour arrived and its not going to stop raining for the next four days. Soggy pumpkins indeed. And not very good picture taking weather. My hands were too frozen to remove from my pockets very often.

Oh well, it was nice to spend time with his class, and especially nice for Super Grandma to join us! Afterwards, we were off to the warmth of Red Robin and a big, fat cheeseburger.

Logan's preschool experience so far has been excellent. His teachers are so nice, creative and sweet, he just adores them and loves going to school. And his class is very small, with 8 total kids. He is going to a church based preschool, which is a new experience for us. I'm really happy with it, and feel fortunate he got one of their much sought after spots. He's so proud of the projects he brings home from school, and he will get to perform in a little "Praise and Celebration" ceremony next week in the santuary. I'm sure it will be totally adorable.

taking on the world, or at least preschool

Dear Logan,

And so begins your formal education. Your very first day of preschool, buddy. You were so proud getting out of the car today wearing your brand new backpack, smiling big when you saw your teacher and barely stopping to give me a kiss goodbye.

There have been many, many days in your three little years when I thought this day couldn't come fast enough. Then there were days when I thought you might not be ready, or willing. You've come so far. Really, I can't even say how proud I am to be your mommy.

When I picked you up from school (after three hours of blissful kid-free, snack-free, no-taking- anyone-to-the-bathroom, no-whining errands), your teacher brought you to the car and when you saw me, your smile was just gigantic and so proud. You climbed into your seat and gave me your verbal first day checklist: Snack? Goldfish. Craft? Frog puppet. Playground? Yes. New friends? Yes. Nice teachers? Yes! Can't wait to go back? Yes!

You loved school, and I love that you went there today, big and bold ready to take on the world.

Love,

Mommy

preschool orientation

I can't take too many big changes at once and I'm so glad we have another week before its time to send Logan off to preschool. We're getting Dylan eased into his new school life this week, and next week we'll begin Logan's new adventure. Today we got to go to Logan's preschool and meet his teachers, see his classroom, and get all the details about what his mornings at school will be like. He's in the Blue Butterfly classroom, and it sounds like they're going to be very, very busy.

I can hardly believe he's going to a preschooler. It seems like he was just a baby, totally dependent on us. Now he's a big boy, ready to make new friends and learn new things. He's ready to go, since he has always had a Big Boy Complex and just wants to do whatever Dylan is doing. I don't think he'll look over his shoulder even once as he begins his preschool journey.

We got to meet his teacher, Mrs. H., and the assistant teacher, Mrs. B.:

While I met with his teacher, he got to make his very own blue butterfly: